Make Unique Homemade Candles out of Seashells

If you've been looking for some fun new ideas for candle making why not try making some candles out of seashells? Not only are they easy and inexpensive to make, but they are beautiful accents that you can use anywhere in your home or give as unique gifts. All you need are a few basic supplies and a couple of hours that you can set aside to make them and before you know it you can have your own beautiful hand made seashell candles. Here's how to get started.

Supplies

Seashells

Paraffin wax

Candle wicks with the flat metal bases

A double boiler

One of the most important parts of this project is choosing the right seashells. You want to choose shells that will sit flat when laid on their backs so that when the wax begins to melt it won't spill all over the table next to them. Scallop shells or clam shells are usually the best choice because they tend to lay the flattest and are the easiest to fill. However you can really use any shell that you want as long as you can make it sit flat so it won't spill the wax when it gets hot.

The first thing that you need to do before making your candles is to be sure that the shells are clean. To do this you want to soak them in bleach for about half an hour. This will remove any dirt or grime and leave them clean and pretty and ready to use. After soaking them in the bleach take them out and set them aside to dry.

Once your shells are clean and dry your can get ready to start filling them with wax. Begin by melting the paraffin wax in a double boiler. When the wax has melted take a shell and carefully fill it with wax. Make sure not to spill any or get any on your hands since it can burn you. Before the wax has a chance to harden stick a small candlewick with a flat metal base into the shell.

Set the wax-filled shells aside to cool and harden. The wax will be hot so be sure to keep them up out of the way so that pets or children don't get hurt. If necessary trim your wicks to an appropriate length.

That's it! Now you have beautiful, unique homemade candles that you can use to decorate or give as gifts.